We've just received a press release from a new European on-line Z-Wave store. Lets hope this will be a catalylst that will help to kick start the long-awaited expansion of the Z-Wave range of products...
2008 may be remembered as the year that the rest of us finally started to take an interest in reducing our energy consumption. The huge increasing in fuel costs brought into sharp focus for everyone the economic benefits of moderating our intake, not just the tree-huggers.
But to be able to reduce your energy bills, first you need to be able to measure your consumption. Many of us only get an idea of our energy useage once a quarter when our bills arrive, or worse still, once a year when the electricity company adjust their direct debit amount. Thankfully, help is at hand...
Home Camp 08 was held last Saturday at the Imperial College London. The "unconference" discussed technology to monitor and automate the home for greener resource use and to save costs. Here's Andy Piper's video of Andy Stanford-Clark's talk on home automation and energy efficient computing at the event...
Nokia have announced their entry into the Smart Home world with the introduction of their "Home Control" program. They are actively seeking third party partners to help develop their Linux powered hardware gateway (see specs below). The system will be available in late 2009 and features open APIs and support of Z-Wave. KNX is also mentioned by Nokia and it looks like they will support as many Home Automation systems as possible.
Can the mighty Nokia succeed where everyone else has seemingly failed? With their huge power in the handheld world, and the willingness here from the world to reduce its energy bills, we'll be watching this one with interest...
Last night Cuppertino released the latest upgrade for the Apple TV. V2.3 has some interesting new features - like support for IR remotes other than the standard Apple one, but there are downsides too - it breaks the XBMC and Boxee installer...
This time our Masked Installer gives us his candid take on how the iPhone (and iPod Touch) is shaping the way his clients control their professional custom installed smart home systems and how it really could be the device that changes people's perception of Home Automation...
Here's the perfect companion for your new Drobo or other storgage device. Amazon are currently offering the Western Digital Green (reduced power consumption) drives for £70 including VAT and free delivery ! We run these drives ourselves here at AUtomated Home, they're quiet, fast and HUGE!
Back at the start of the year we ran a review of the TVCatchup service. We ended our piece with a prediction that the "suits" might spoil the fun and it turned out just that way. But now TVCatchup is back, no longer an on-line PVR, but now free live streaming of 15 UK TV channels. Read on to get one of our invites to the beta...
We've been contacted by BAFTA award winning documentary makers, Century Films for help with their next project, and it's right up our street! They're keen to talk to Home Automation enthusiasts who have fitted, or are about to fit high tech smart home security systems in their home. Read on for all the details on how you can help...
Cytech Europe have just sent us news on their new smart home video presentation featuring their Comfort Intelligent Home System.
"The video, filmed in a family home, entertains, informs and demonstrates all aspects of smart home technology including security, networked sound and vision, remote control of heating, air conditioning, lighting, curtains and gates and an intercom which calls a mobile phone when no one is home...."
